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Great Hammock Road to Close for Bridge Work

Due to the state’s upcoming replacement of a bridge on Great Hammock Road, a portion of the road will be closed between Tuesday, Sept. 3, and Nov. 26. Residents will need to use detours during the replacement.

Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said the bridge is located on Great Hammock Road by Buckingham Avenue. The project, which is being conducted by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, was awarded to Brunalli Construction Company for $2,720,899.75 in February.

No town funds are going toward the project.

“It’s a state road and a state project,” Fortuna said. “The bridge is in poor condition and needs to be replaced; it’s as simple as that,” Fortuna said, adding that the second bridge farther up the road was similarly replaced in recent years.

According to a press release from the town, “A new bridge consisting of precast substructure elements and prestressed concrete deck slabs will be constructed. The overhead utilities to be relocated this season will be permanently relocated to approximately the same location after the bridge is constructed. A new 12-inch water main will be installed as part of the bridge construction.”

While the bridge work is being done, a portion of the road will be closed, so drivers, as well as joggers and bikers who use the scenic area, will need to use detours. To get to the south side of the bridge from the north side, travel north of the bridge on Route 154. Turn right onto Old Boston Post Road. Turn right onto Main Street, then turn right onto Maple Avenue, and continue for about one and a half miles until reaching Route 154. Turn right onto Route 154 and follow until the other side of the bridge is reached.

To get to the north side of the bridge from the south side, travel south of the bridge on Route 154 for about a mile. Turn left onto Maple Avenue. Turn left onto Main Street, then turn left onto Old Boston Post Road, and continue for about half a mile. Turn left again onto Route 154 and follow until the other side of the bridge is reached.

Fortuna said that if the bridge was not completely closed, the replacement work could take much longer, and he added that he was hopeful the work would take less time than anticipated.